Northampton County Council last week voted against raising salaries for the county executive who will take office in 2014.

Council reviews salaries every four years, but voted 7-2 against increasing the $85,000 salary to $95,000 for the executive that takes office after the 2013 election. Executive pay was last increased three years ago.

Councilman Ken Kraft supported the wage increase, arguing the county's elected leader shouldn't earn less than the municipal officials within its
jurisdiction. For example, the manager of Hanover Township is paid
nearly $106,000. The manager of Lower Nazareth Township makes $94,000 a
year.

Within the county, the executive's
salary is less than that of many department heads, including $112,400
for the director of fiscal affairs, $94,264 for the directors of human
services and public works, and $103,000 for the council clerk, according to the League of Women Voters.

Council President John Cusick, who also voted in favor of the increase, had noted it's important the salary be commensurate with the job.

Council member Barbara Thierry suggested, however, that municipal officials' salaries may be too high."I just wonder how many
of these townships can really afford the salaries they’re paying," she said.

Several members argues that the position stirs up plenty of interest at current salary levels and doesn't need to be raised.

"I don't think anyone runs for county executive for the money," Council Member Peg Ferraro said Thursday, "And if they do, I think they're running for the wrong reason."